WON

PLUG

01 August, 2010

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has said that BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry E-mail and BlackBerry Web-browsing services in the UAE will be suspended as of October 11.

The suspension is a result of the failure of ongoing attempts, dating back to 2007, to bring BlackBerry services in the UAE in line with UAE telecommunications regulations.

[...]

Today's decision is based on the fact that, in their current form, certain BlackBerry services allow users to act without any legal accountability, causing judicial, social and national security concerns for the UAE.

The UAE tried to get RIM to let them snoop user data, and RIM told them to fuck off.

AhhSD, I miss your blog.No, I'm not being moronic.I mean, I miss your blog filled with tales of colourful Dubtown characters, like the aspirational Lola LebCan and Panjit of Punjab.Please go back to the days of yore. I come to relish in those stories, not snippets of today's headline complete with a snazzy quip proceeding the link to the article.

"What changed is that the device became extremely popular and people started to express themselves freely in a manner not expected by the authorities in the UAE.

"BlackBerry gave them a new horizon that was not available before. Which is something that authorities would not be happy about, because people recently started to talk about their civil rights and their economic and political rights."

PROTEST UNCOVERED

He said the government was angered last month after word got out that a group of people using Messenger were attempting to organise peaceful demonstrations to protest a hike in gasoline prices.

Accused of inciting opposition to the government, this led to the arrest and interrogation of several users of BlackBerry Messenger who tried to organise the protest, according to Reporters Without Borders.

[quote]Really. Then why didn't RIM tell the US government to fuck off, when RIM were informed that if they wanted to operate in the USA, they would have to give their server keys to the FBI.

And you can bet your arse, RIM were given the same ultimatum by the British government, by having to provide the encyption keys to GCHQ.[/quote]

Really now. Its not about data privacy per se. Nothing you say is sacred anymore. What it is about is what they can use the data for or how they will use it. If I send you a bunch of emails saying protest something in Dubai or say disparaging remarks about HH, you can be sure YOU will be getting a friendly knock on the door. Even if that happened in the US, there is due process to see if you really were at fault. Try getting a fair trial in Dubai and see where it gets you.

Other states may have due judicial process, the UAE is so far away from fair laws and fair trials that you should be scared of what they can do to you if they wanted to.

1. UAE is a 3rd world country, meaning their policy changes at anytime the shake wants <--- fuck him and his pathetic ambitions.

2. All these concerns about security talk against terrorists etc...etc... is bullshit (locals know it has something to do with the head of FNC that doesn't pay his fines and drives like maniac + protest against petrol price rise and more...torture video)

3. RIM should add the UAE to their blacklist and address them as ignorants of the 21st century.

4. People should do what I've done and leave that shit-hole, hope they stay bankrupt for the rest of their lives.

Other states may have due judicial process, the UAE is so far away from fair laws and fair trials that you should be scared of what they can do to you if they wanted to.

This isn't about the UAE's democratic credentials (which are zero) it's about hypocrisy. Everybody is bashing the UAE when, what they're demanding is simply what the USA & UK demanded from RIM a few years ago - and got. India too.

In this context, your "Our system is better than theirs" argument, is meaningless.

anon above, you would not really know what exactly went on between US/ UK or India and RIM. We have no idea what exactly they wanted access to, and what was granted. Maybe it was not about some data on protests against petrol prices. in UAE they wanted data to destroy individuals who dare protest, or just try to raise their voice.

And I AM NOW getting really tired of these sick scumbags of middle east requesting proper democratic countries to apply their charter or rules written for their citizens, to countries like UAE, Pakistan and their terrorists. It does not really take rocket science to figure out that terrorists and their supporters will get often unfairly treated in democratic countries when they try to kill their citizens, or destroy what they stand for. Just live with it, and suck it up.

Its all sexual guys. And its as simple as this. The UAE wishes to inspect and investigate RIM. So the UAE wants to give them a RIMJOB. Its now realised that there's more out there than straight ol' Missionary.Aint life a bummer.

You guys are just annoyed that you are living and making money, and now you are getting disconnected, and that 125 AED or 189 AED your paying is going to be not worth it, and this defines your rational brains to find reasons to justify your anger. but guess what your explanation verdict will not do fucking shit.

If RIM says to Fuck you...then UAE says back FUCK YOU, many other countries are following the same track. the TRA is yet a young federal authority, and as the country is building a strong vision for the 2021, you will see many of such discussion in the coming months, that will assure you guys are aligned correctly on how to live and make money here.

so who ever doesn't like it, then the same tag of our SDD blogger applies to you.

I think it is really a positive step by UAE and Saudi Arabia. Anything which becomes a threat for national security should be tackled as it has been tackled by UAE and Saudi Arabia. I hope countries like Pakistan and Indian also take some steps forward in this concern.

The whole story seems fishy to me. Not sure if its trying to control technology or the information it provides. Be glad when it all sorts out. Either way, it's not good for business or cultural exchange.

Gulf NewsAjman: An Emirati man has been interrogated by police for attempting to organise an illegal march in the country, and subsequently fired from his job, Gulf News was told on Monday.

A top Ministry of Interior official said the man, who apparently circulated messages though a Blackberry Messenger (BBM) in an attempt to organise the march, in response to the recent fuel price increases, worked for Dubai Police.---------Now all the morons who compare the current conflict of UAE and RIM to the conflict between RIM and countries like US,UK, Canada India etc: 1. Those are democratic countries, not dictatorships. They need the data to find out terrorists communication, and there are enough terrorists there funded by UAE2.The snooping by UAE and Saudi is nothing to do with security, it has everything to do with who will raise their voice against the tin pot dictators. 3. In the end, it boils down to proper nations asking for data to protect its citizens, and UAE asking for it to protect its dictatorship.4. Raising your voice, or talking bad about the leadership is not something that is new in democracy, in fact the newspapers there do it everyday. But here, the whole intent is to kill the voice

Now over to all the morons who say UAE has done the right thing, and is not a proud nation that said fuck you back at RIM. Hope for your sake you are from the royal family too, or these words may come back to bit your ass.

Hey, who told that Blackberry is banned, it not banned at all. Only some of its services are banned in United Arab Emirates but I don't know that why this news is so much propagated in media. I don't know that what is the exact reason behind this.http://www.bayut.com

Every day, Ercelan Yazdani says he dreads the arrival of a foul odour.

The Sky Gardens Tower resident, next to Dubai International Financial Centre, says the source of the smell isn’t entirely clear.

But he has been told by the building’s maintenance staff that the pipes running through the tower have likely sprung a leak, which is allowing sewage odours to permeate through the walls.

The issue has persisted for about nine months and he says there are no plans at the moment to permanently fix the problem.

“It’s like a wake-up call,” says Mr Yazdani, who is an executive at a company in Media City. “It’s the biggest problem in my building. Sometimes, I’d rather just not go home.”

The larger issue, he says, is that the maintenance company has gradually reduced its staff to a skeleton crew. Even minor problems are ignored, he adds, leaving residents helpless when it comes to repairs.

The building is the subject of a major investor dispute currently playing out in the DIFC Courts, and its owners are allegedly behind on paying maintenance fees that fund the operating expenses of the building.

The smell at the Sky Gardens Tower isn’t an isolated incident. [...]

Maintenance fees – which average out to about Dh20,000 a year for a typical one-bedroom apartment – are broken into operating expenses and larger projects. While the latter pays for services such as gardeners, cleaning staff and security guards, the sinking fund is used to repaint buildings and replace expensive equipment such as coolers that can cost Dh3 million. [...]

But for another resident in the Sky Gardens Tower, who asked to remain anonymous, a rise in fees is the least of his problems.

While the smell in his apartment has improved of late, he is still thinking of finding a new place. “I am considering moving,” he says. “The apartments are nice – they have a good finish – but there is basically no building management anymore.”

The problem started, he says, shortly after he moved into the apartment about nine months ago. The Sky Gardens resident says he moved from an apartment in Jumeirah because he was seeking a more central location with better furnishings. Overall, the building has reached his expectations, but the persistent odour has soured him to the location. And despite sending several letters to his landlord about the problems, he has yet to receive a reply.

“It’s especially frustrating paying Dh152,000 for a two-bedroom apartment,” he says. “You don’t get the services you are promised.” [...]

“The biggest obstacle is nobody is listening,” he says. “It’s a way to get these problems out there. Some landlords own half the tower, but aren’t willing to reply to any complaints.”

Maintenance fees are sometimes hidden from potential buyers and renters but they should be fully investigated before any deal is struck, according to the facilities management company MAG Me Property Solution in Dubai.

Renters, however, are often left with few options when it comes to poor maintenance problems in buildings. They can appeal to the owner to be let out of their lease early, but they may not succeed.

Mr Yazdani and his fellow Sky Gardens resident say they are considering moving, but their landlords are not willing to let them out of their leases early. [...]

I really don’t now what is the main problem between RIM and the gov. of UAE. Why they are suspending the services of Blackberry in UAE. Rim should have to review their policies and give positive response to the gov. of UAE.

Here are the Sheikh Zayed stunt drivers again They were released and fined DHMs1000 each http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1448680211252I wonder if this was them celebrating – on the beach (presumably forbidden otherwise why do it ) – lots of space and whoops a crash Here are their cousins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8CU2633tfk

"And in Breaking News SDD has been captured by aliens never to be heard from again"Bummer for me as I just busted out of my 16 year exile in the sand lands and was looking toward to uninterrupted access to this blog.

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I couldn't relate more with your concern regarding the blackberry issue here. Here in my country, very few own one and I happen to feel lucky to be one of the privileged.(at least). - Ana from Philippines

Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it's driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.